Helmet stabilization system

ABSTRACT

A helmet stabilization system comprises a flexible strap connectable at a first end to a helmet and a spooling mechanism comprising a spool connectable to a second end of the flexible strap, the spooling mechanism being securable to a user wearing the helmet, wherein the spooling mechanism allows the flexible strap to be selectively extended and retracted on the spool.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of domestic priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/611,516 filed on Dec. 28, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of neck and spine injuries that occurred in contact sports such as American football.

Many advancements in helmet design have provided improved protection for the head inside the helmet, but little has been done in terms of providing protection from head-movement related injuries. When the head is impacted directly, the resulting head movement can be injurious to the neck and/or spine. Similarly, when the body is impacted, the head can be moved due to the effects of inertia which can also result in neck and/or spinal injury.

Systems that prevent or limit head movement have met with less than desirable results. First, it is important for the wearer of a helmet to be able to move his or her head under normal conditions. A football player, for example, needs to be able to move his or her head to study the field, to see tacklers or blockers, and to move his or her head out of the way when an object is approaching. Also, rigid systems can be undesirable because they can tend to encourage the wearer of the helmet to use his or her helmet as a weapon when tackling or blocking. This can result in more football injuries rather than fewer.

Therefore, there is a need for improved helmet stabilization. There is a further need for a helmet stabilization system that prevents or reduces undesired movement of the helmet and head. There is still a further need for a helmet stabilization system prevents or reduces undesirable movement of the helmet and head while allowing desirable movement.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies these needs. In one aspect of the invention, an improved helmet stabilization system is provided.

In another aspect of the invention, a helmet stabilization system prevents or reduces undesirable movement of the helmet and head.

In another aspect of the invention, a helmet stabilization system prevents or reduces undesirable movement of the helmet and head while allowing desirable movement.

In another aspect of the invention, a helmet stabilization system comprises a flexible strap connectable at a first end to a helmet and a spooling mechanism comprising a spool connectable to a second end of the flexible strap, the spooling mechanism being securable to a user wearing the helmet, wherein the spooling mechanism allows the flexible strap to be selectively extended and retracted on the spool.

In another aspect of the invention, a helmet stabilization system comprises a helmet, shoulder pads, a flexible strap connectable at a first end to the helmet, and a spooling mechanism comprising a spool connectable to a second end of the flexible strap, the spooling mechanism being connectable to the shoulder pads, wherein the spooling mechanism allows the flexible strap to be selectively extended and retracted on the spool.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for stabilizing the movement of a helmet on a user comprises attaching a first end of a flexible strap to the helmet and a second end of the flexible strap to a spooling mechanism, allowing extension of the flexible strap from the spooling mechanism under certain conditions, and preventing extension of the flexible strap from the spooling mechanism under other conditions.

DRAWINGS

These features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary features of the invention. However, it is to be understood that each of the features can be used in the invention in general, not merely in the context of the particular drawings, and the invention includes any combination of these features, where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a version of a helmet stabilization system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the helmet stabilization system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the helmet stabilization system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a spooling mechanism of the helmet stabilization system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view of the spooling mechanism of FIG. 4A in an unspooling condition; and

FIG. 4C is a schematic perspective view of the spooling mechanism of FIG. 4A is a braking condition.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a helmet stabilization system. In particular, the invention relates to a helmet stabilization system using a strap braking system and/or a strap retraction system. Although the invention is illustrated and described in the context of being useful for football and other athletic helmets, the present invention can be used in other ways, as would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited just to the examples and embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 1 through 3 show a helmet stabilization system 100 according to a version of the present invention in perspective, front, and top views, respectively. The helmet stabilization system 100 stabilizes a helmet 105 on the head of a user and helps prevent movements that could otherwise be injurious to the user. In the version shown, the helmet 105 is worn by a football player, such as a member of the National Football League, a college football team, a high school football team, a junior or peewee football team, a recreational football team, or the like. In this version, the helmet 105 is accompanied by a set of shoulder pads 110 and various other safety devices and pads. The helmet 105 can include a hard outer shell 115 and optionally a rigid facemask cage 120 or face shield. A conventional helmet 105 is designed to protect the head of the user from direct impacts that occur during a football game or practice. These impacts can be helmet-to-helmet, such as when blocking at the line of scrimmage, helmet-to-body-part, such as when tackling, and helmet-to-ground or other object, such as impacts that may occur while being tackled.

The helmet stabilization system 100 of the present invention provides additional protection to the user. In addition to protecting the head against direct impact forces, the helmet stabilization system stabilizes the head and prevents movements that occur as a result of the impacts. In the absence of a helmet stabilization system 100, a direct impact to the head area will cause the helmet to move, sometimes violently, and can cause injury to the neck or spine of the user. Impacts to other body parts can also cause the head and helmet to move due to inertia and momentum from the mass of the head which is compounded by the added mass of the helmet.

The helmet stabilization system 100 includes one or more flexible straps 125 having a first end 130 connected to the helmet 105 and a second end 135 connected to a portion of the user other than the head. In the version shown, the second end 135 is connected to the shoulder pads 110 of a football player. The shoulder pads include straps or other mechanisms for securing the shoulder pads to the user. The flexible straps 125 can be made of any suitable material and are shaped and designed so they may be bent, folded, and/or curled while having sufficient tensile strength to not significantly deform when a tensile load is applied. In one version, the tensile strength of the flexible straps 125 can range from about 100 lbs to about 10,000 lbs, or from about 3000 lbs to about 6000 lbs, or about 5000 lbs. Due to this tensile strength, the flexible strap 125 prevents or reduces the movement of the helmet 105 in a direction away from the flexible strap 125 and/or away from the connection point 140 of the second end 135 of the flexible strap 125. In the version of FIG. 1, a flexible strap 125 is connected at its first end 130 to the left side 145 of the helmet 105, and the second end 135 is connected to the shoulder pad 110 near the left shoulder portion of the shoulder pad 110. The flexible strap 125 in this version thus prevents or reduces movement of the helmet 105 and the head of the user to the user's right. If an impact occurs to the left side 145 of the helmet 105, the flexible strap 125 will help counter the impact force and reduce the movement the impact would otherwise cause. Similarly, of an impact occurs to the right side of the user's body, the flexible strap 125 will reduce the movement of the helmet 105 and head to the right that might otherwise occur due to inertia and momentum.

In one version, the flexible straps 125 are made of nylon or polyester webbing. Alternatively, the flexible straps 125 can comprise one or more of acrylic, aramid, polyaramid, copolyamid, art silk. AuTx, azlon, ban-lon, basalt fiber, British Celanese, butadiene, polybutadiene, carbon fiber reinforced polymer, carbon fibers, carboncast, celliant, cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cotton, cotton blend, cordura, crimplene, cuben fiber, cuprammonium rayon, darlexx, dynel, elasterell, elastolefin, elastomeric fiber, fibrolane, fluoropolymer, glass fiber, gold flex, graphite, ingeo, innegra S, lastol, latex, rubber, lurex, lyocell, M5 fiber (polyhydroquinone-diimidazopyridine or PIPD), metallic fiber, microfiber, modacrylic, modal, nylon, polyamide, olefin, olefin fiber, pitch-based carbon fiber, PLGA, Poly(lactic acid) or polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA, a polyester), poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), polyacrylonitrile, polybenzimidazole fiber, polychloroprene, polydioxanone, polyester, polyethylene, Dyneema, Spectra, polyimide, polyoxazole, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Qiana, rayon, retroglo, sorona, spandex, elastoester, taklon. Thinsulate, triacetate, Tyvek, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, vectran, aromatic polyester, vinylon, vinyon, vinal, viscose, zylon, plant fiber (seed, leaf, bast, stalk & fruit—cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, abaca, ramie, sisal), animal fiber (wool, silk, mohair, filament, protein/collagen/keratin), polynosic fiber, and cuprammonium fiber. The flexible straps 125 may be flat or round and may have a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle, square, polygon, circle, oval, triangle, quadrilateral, ellipse, diamond, rhombus, parallelogram, trapezoid, trapezium, crescent, star, curvilinear triangle, kite, cross, arrow, quatrefoil, shell, heart, teardrop, zigzag, hourglass, or the like. In another version, the flexible straps 125 are made of a material that is at least partially elastic, such as a strong bungee cord or a stiff spring. In version, the flexible straps 125 allow a small amount of head movement while absorbing some of the energy of the impact. This version can also in some cases be less traumatic to the brain.

In one version, the helmet stabilization system 105 can include a plurality of flexible straps 125 positioned so as to prevent or reduce movement of the helmet 105 and the head in multiple directions. For example, a flexible strap 125 can be connected to the right side 150 of the helmet 105 to prevent or reduce movement of the helmet 105 and head to the left. Optionally, a flexible strap 125 can be positioned on the rear 155 of the helmet 105 to prevent or reduce movement of the helmet 105 and head in a forward direction, as shown in FIG. 3. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 2, a flexible strap 125 can be provided on the front 160 of the helmet 105 to prevent or reduce movement of the helmet 105 and head rearwardly.

The flexible straps 125 can be connected to the helmet 105 by any suitable mechanism. For example, the flexible straps 125 can be connected to the helmet 105 by one or more of a snap, such as a metal snap, screw, nut and bolt, plastic safety lock, rings, loops (metal or plastic), snap hooks, spring hooks, metal or plastic buckles, adhesive, ultrasonically fused webbing and/or attachments, melted nylon or polyester or other thermoplastic, rivets, slides, and the like. The second end 135 of the flexible strap 125 can similarly be connected to the shoulder pad 110 or other member secured to the user's body.

In one particular version, the second end 130 of the flexible strap 125 is connected to the shoulder pad 110 or other member by a spooling mechanism 165 that allows the flexible strap 125 to be selectively extended and retracted. The spooling mechanism 165 can include a housing 170 that houses a spool of the flexible strap 125 and an opening through which the flexible strap 125 may be fed. A connection plate 180 may also be provided to connect the housing 170 to the shoulder pad 110 or other member. The spooling mechanism 165 allows the flexible strap 125 to be unspooled and thus extended under non-impact conditions. This extension allows the user to move his or her head in a normal manner when there is no immediate injurious impact force. The spooling mechanism can automatically spool the flexible strap 125 to take up any slack when the user moves his or her head in the direction towards the spooling mechanism 165.

The spooling mechanism 165 can also include a braking mechanism that automatically applies a brake that prevents unspooling and extension of the flexible strap 125 when a predetermined condition, such as an impact force, is experienced. In one version, the predetermined condition is a predetermined speed of unspooling of the flexible strap 125. Much like the seat belt of a car, the spooling mechanism 165 can allow unspooling of the flexible strap 125 at relatively slow unspooling rates, but then when a predetermined rate of unspooling occurs, a brake is applied that prevent further unspooling. The predetermined rates can be a rate associated with a potentially injurious head movement. In one version, the brake can be applied at g-forces ranging from 1 to 300. For younger users, such as those less than 18 years old, the g-forces for actuating the brake can range from 2 to 25. In adult users, the g-forces for actuation can range from 2 to 60. Alternatively, the predetermined condition can be a detected acceleration, deceleration, rotational acceleration, and/or rotational deceleration. Examples of brake actuation rotations accelerations and decelerations include between 50 rad/sec2 and 1000 rad/sec2 for young users and between 1000 rad/sec2 and 4000 rad/sec2 for adults. In one version, a sensor or detector can be positioned to sense an impact force and to apply the brake when a predetermined force is sensed.

The helmet stabilization system 100 can be used to effectively reduce injures. In addition to reducing damage to the neck and spine that can occur with rapid head movements and rotations, the helmet stabilization system 100 can also help reduce damage to the head and brain. For example, the helmet stabilization system 100 can reduce linear and rotational accelerations of the head which can reduce shear-induced tissue damage that can otherwise result from rapid head rotations.

An example of a spooling mechanism 165 is shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C and is described in more detail in auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/seatbelt3.htm, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The flexible strap 125 (not shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C for clarity) is wrapped around a spool 200. A spiral spring (not shown) applies a rotational force to the spool 200 so the spool 200 can wind up any loose flexible strap 125. When the flexible strap 125 is pulled at a low rate of speed, the spool 200 rotates and feeds the flexible strap 125 and deflects the spring. The spring wants to return to its original shape so that once the pulling force is removed from the flexible strap 125, the spool will rotate in the opposite direction and take the flexible strap 125 back up. The spooling mechanism 165 has a braking mechanism 205 that prevents the spool 200 from rotating in an unspooling direction. In the version of FIGS. 4A through 4C, the braking mechanism 205 includes a centrifugal clutch design, such as those commonly used in modern car seat belts. The braking mechanism 205 includes a ratchet gear 210 rigidly attached to the spool 200. A clutch lever 215 is mounted to the spool 200. When the spool 200 spins slowly, the clutch lever 215 doesn't pivot and is kept in position by a spring 220. However, when the spool 200 rotates quickly, the clutch lever pivots outwardly due to the centrifugal force of the rotation overcoming the force of the spring 220, as shown in FIG. 4B. The extended clutch lever 215 pushes a cam 225 that is connected to a pivoting pawl 230 by a sliding pin 235, as shown in FIG. 4C. As the cam 225 moves, the slinging pin 235 moves along a groove 240 in the pivoting pawl 230 which pulls the pivoting pawl 230 into the ratchet gear 210 so that the pivoting pawl 230 locks into teeth on the ratchet gear 210 to prevent further unspooling. The brake can then be unapplied by allowing the flexible strap 125 to be retracted back onto the spool 200 which will release the pivoting pawl 230 from the ratchet gear 210.

The helmet stabilization system 100 of the present invention offers improved protection from trauma that results from head movement while still allowing normal head movement under normal conditions. The helmet stabilization system 100 is particularly useful in football where neck and spinal injuries commonly occur. However, the helmet stabilization system 100 can be used in other sports or activities where helmets are worn. For example, a motorcycle helmet and/or a race car helmet can be equipped with a helmet stabilization system 100. Other sports and activities where the helmet stabilization system 100 can be used include but are not limited to hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball catchers, baseball and softball hitters, motocross, bicycle motocross, dirt biking, rally racing, and the like.

The flexible straps 125 and other components of the helmet stabilization system 100 can be permanently attached to the helmet 105 and/or shoulder pads 110 or can be releasably connectable thereto. In one version, the component are detachable by a user, an equipment manager, a coach, a parent, another athlete, or the like.

Configurations of the helmet stabilization system 100 other than those shown are also possible. For example, the first end 130 of the flexible straps 125 can be attached to the inside of the helmet 105, such as at a location underneath the ear hole of the helmet 105. In one version, at least a portion of the flexible straps 125 can be hidden under the neck pads of the shoulder pads 110. In another version, the flexible straps 125 can include or can be replaced with a magnetic system with, for example, a magnet on or near the shoulder pad and an opposing magnet on or near the helmet.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible, and alterations, permutations and equivalents of the version shown will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, the cooperating components may be reversed or provided in additional or fewer number. Also, the various features of the versions herein can be combined in various ways to provide additional versions of the present invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. Therefore, any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein and should include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A helmet stabilization system comprising: a flexible strap connectable at a first end to a helmet, and a spooling mechanism comprising a spool connectable to a second end of the flexible strap, the spooling mechanism being securable to a user wearing the helmet, wherein the spooling mechanism allows the flexible strap to be selectively extended and retracted on the spool.
 2. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the spooling mechanism is configured to reduce movement of the helmet away from the spooling mechanism under a predetermined condition.
 3. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is a rate of extension of the flexible strap from the spool.
 4. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is detected force experienced by the user.
 5. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 2, wherein the spooling mechanism allows movement of the helmet away from the spooling mechanism when the predetermined condition is not occurring.
 6. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the spooling mechanism automatically urges the flexible strap to be retracted onto the spool.
 7. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible strap comprises nylon or polyester webbing.
 8. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the spooling mechanism comprises a braking mechanism that automatically prevents extension of the flexible strap from the spool under a predetermined condition.
 9. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is a rate of extension of the flexible strap from the spool.
 10. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is detected force experienced by the user.
 11. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1 comprises a plurality of flexible straps and spooling mechanisms.
 12. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible strap is connectable to the left side of the helmet and further comprising a flexible strap connectable to the right side of the helmet and a flexible strap connectable to the rear of the helmet.
 13. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the spooling mechanism is connectable to shoulder pads that may be worn by the user.
 14. A helmet stabilization system comprising: a helmet, shoulder pads, a flexible strap connectable at a first end to the helmet, and a spooling mechanism comprising a spool connectable to a second end of the flexible strap, the spooling mechanism being connectable to the shoulder pads, wherein the spooling mechanism allows the flexible strap to be selectively extended and retracted on the spool.
 15. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the spooling mechanism is configured to reduce movement of the helmet away from the spooling mechanism under a predetermined condition.
 16. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined condition is a rate of extension of the flexible strap from the spool.
 17. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined condition is detected force experienced by the user.
 18. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the flexible strap is connectable to the left side of the helmet and further comprising a flexible strap connectable to the right side of the helmet and a flexible strap connectable to the rear of the helmet.
 19. The helmet stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the flexible strap is permanently attached to the helmet.
 20. A method for stabilizing the movement of a helmet on a user, the method comprising: attaching a first end of a flexible strap to the helmet and a second end of the flexible strap to a spooling mechanism, allowing extension of the flexible strap from the spooling mechanism under certain conditions, and preventing extension of the flexible strap from the spooling mechanism under other conditions. 